4-alarm fire damages 4 buildings near Alamo Square

Updated 7:45 pm, Saturday, January 31, 2015

Firefighters assess damage to one of the 17 residential units in four buildings affected by the blaze.

Firefighters assess damage to one of the 17 residential units in four buildings affected by the blaze.

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

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Firefighters unscrew fire hoses from hydrants after battling a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Firefighters unscrew fire hoses from hydrants after battling a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 3 of 35

Crews watch as smoke billows from an apartment building after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Crews watch as smoke billows from an apartment building after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 4 of 35

Justin Meyerowitz talks on the phone after being displaced from his home when a four-alarm fire broke out and damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Justin Meyerowitz talks on the phone after being displaced from his home when a four-alarm fire broke out and damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 5 of 35

A couple watches as crews battle a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

A couple watches as crews battle a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

Image 6 of 35

Firefighters pile charred belongings on the street from an apartment building after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Firefighters pile charred belongings on the street from an apartment building after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 7 of 35

A woman holds an oxygen mask to the mouth of her dog after being displaced from her home when a four-alarm fire broke out and damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

A woman holds an oxygen mask to the mouth of her dog after being displaced from her home when a four-alarm fire broke out and damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 8 of 35

People speak with firefighters after being displaced from their homes after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

People speak with firefighters after being displaced from their homes after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 9 of 35

Firefighters take a break after battling a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Firefighters take a break after battling a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

Image 10 of 35

A firefighter walks past debris following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A firefighter walks past debris following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 11 of 35

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Image 12 of 35

Firefighters carry out debris following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters carry out debris following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Image 13 of 35

Firefighters pack up water hoses following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters pack up water hoses following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Image 14 of 35

A spectator glances at the firefighters following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A spectator glances at the firefighters following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Image 15 of 35

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Image 16 of 35

A firefighter carries a dog that was rescued from the scen of a four-alarm fire at Alamo Square in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, January 31, 2015.

A firefighter carries a dog that was rescued from the scen of a four-alarm fire at Alamo Square in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, January 31, 2015.

Photo: Robin Guido / Courtesy Of The Robin Guido

Image 17 of 35

A firefighter gives a rescued dog back to its owner at the scene of a four-alarm fire at Alamo Square in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, January 31, 2015.

A firefighter gives a rescued dog back to its owner at the scene of a four-alarm fire at Alamo Square in San Francisco, California, on Saturday, January 31, 2015.

Photo: Robin Guido / Courtesy Of The Robin Guido

Image 18 of 35

A woman gives her dog an oxygen mask following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A woman gives her dog an oxygen mask following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Image 19 of 35

Firefighters carry out debris from a building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street as a Red Cross official walks past them, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters carry out debris from a building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street as a Red Cross official walks past them, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 20 of 35

Firefighters pile charred belongings on the street from an apartment building after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Firefighters pile charred belongings on the street from an apartment building after a four-alarm fire damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

Image 21 of 35

Firefighters pull their water hoses away from a building following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters pull their water hoses away from a building following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 22 of 35

Heike and Eric Hiss stand with their children, Aria (right) and Finn (pointing) and watch as crews battle a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

Heike and Eric Hiss stand with their children, Aria (right) and Finn (pointing) and watch as crews battle a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

Image 23 of 35

A firefighter takes a look at the damage following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A firefighter takes a look at the damage following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 24 of 35

A firefighter prepares oxygen tanks before battling a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San Francisco, Calif. Saturday, January 31, 2015. less

A firefighter prepares oxygen tanks before battling a four-alarm fire which damaged 17 units in four residential buildings on the 1500 block of McAllister Street between Divisadaro and Scott streets in San ... more

Photo: Jessica Christian, The Chronicle

Image 25 of 35

Firefighters head outside the building following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters head outside the building following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 26 of 35

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 27 of 35

A firefighter takes off his helmet following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A firefighter takes off his helmet following a four-alarm building fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 28 of 35

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 29 of 35

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Firefighters inspect the building following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 30 of 35

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 31 of 35

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 32 of 35

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

The damage to one of the buildings following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 33 of 35

A firefighter climbs down a ladder following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

A firefighter climbs down a ladder following a four-alarm fire in the 1500 block of McAllister Street, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Santiago Mejia, The Chronicle

Image 34 of 35

Kevin Banks, right, glances over at the building, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif. Banks is a long-time resident who lives across the street from the building that caught fire in the afternoon.

Kevin Banks, right, glances over at the building, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in San Francisco, Calif. Banks is a long-time resident who lives across the street from the building that caught fire in the afternoon.

A four-alarm fire damaged at least 17 units in four residential buildings near San Francisco’s Alamo Square on Saturday afternoon, fire officials said.

Firefighters responded to the fire at 1:20 p.m. on the 1500 block of McAllister Street, between Divisadero Avenue and Scott Street, fire dispatchers said.

The blaze started in a second-floor unit in an apartment building at the corner of McAllister and Scott streets and then spread into upper units, including the penthouse, and then into three adjacent buildings, said Mark Gonzales, deputy chief of operations for the San Francisco Fire Department.

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